Problems with Dual Voltage Hair Straightener

Sharon,

Did the "popping sound" originate in the Hair Straightener or the electrics in the building (Fuse)? As it's a dual-voltage appliance, I'm assuming there's a switch to select which voltage it's operating on? Did you check the switch to ensure it wasn't inadvertently left in the 115 Volt position?

If the Straightener was left in the 115 V position, it will draw more current which could explain this situation.

The popping sound originated between the socket and the plug, at the site of the connection.

This device doesn't actually have a switch to go between 115/220, it does so automatically (same as when I plug in the Mac laptop that I'm currently using).

My straightener is made by an Italian company that manufactures products for use in both European and North American markets, which is what makes this problem more baffling to me.

Heating devices do not fall in the same category as non-heating devices such as laptops, chargers, etc.

Heating devices such as hair straightening irons, hair dryers and irons MUST have a switch that goes from 125/250 or 110/220. The lower number is to be used in the US and the higher number for Europe you switch it to 240 or 250.

You straightener could very well be fried.

The have been numerous questions and answers regarding this very topic here on Travelers' Helpline.

Been there, done that, got the badge.

Hate to tell you, but it's dead.

Go to a store in Italy and buy a new one for use in Europe.

Here is a link regarding heating devices:

http://goeurope.about.com/cs/electricity/l/bl_electricity.htm

Another excellent link:

http://kropla.com/electric.htm

My wife did that too. Unfortunately before the straightener died it super-heated to "way too hot" and burned her hair to a crisp. Needless to say, she doesn't waste her time anymore on hair straighteners while in Europe.

Sharon,

I'm assuming the "popping sound" occurred at the moment you inserted the plug into the receptacle?

IMO, the Hair Straightener is not necessarily fried. Are there obvious signs of charring or damage? Unfortunately, there's no way to verify this "from a distance".

I'm a bit puzzled by the lack of a switch to select voltage? From an electrical design perspective and the fact this is primarily a "heating appliance", there has to be one somewhere. What does the "nameplate" on the appliance indicate in terms of "Input Voltage"???

The easiest solution under the circumstances would be to buy another straightener for use on future travels to Europe, and take the original one home and have it checked out at an appliance repair shop.

Good luck!

For what it's worth, I had the same thing happen with a hair dryer, though it did not blow a fuse. I had forgotten to change the switch. The hair dryer worked fine when I got home. In fact it still works fine and it's been a few years.

I just received a flat iron from packinglight.com and it doesnt have a switch to go between 120-220 either. The directions say that it will automatically convert--"only needs a plug adapter". That is all over the Packing Light web site too.

We are also staying in an apartment in Florence. Keep us posted...I was already wondering if these new auto dual voltage hair appliances actually work.

Thanks for your advice everyone!

I guess I'll have to wait and see if it works when I get home. I thought I noticed a faintly burnt smell coming from the device after I plugged it in, so it may be toast. And to those who asked, the nameplate reads 120/240 volts and 50/60 hertz. There is no switch between them. I asked at a local travel store before leaving home and the the guy said dual voltage heating devices should be no problem.

What I am still confused about is why it would work perfectly, multiple times in Milan but then blow a fuse in Florence.

Kim: I would keep your receipt in case something happens to your dual voltage device. And be prepared for the lights to go out. Mine is a couple years old so I probably can't get money back if it's fried. It was purchased from a beauty supply store through a hairdresser friend and cost upwards of $200 - intended for professional salon use. I bought another (European) one here yesterday for 65 euros. That was after shopping around, other places were asking around 120 euros. A good straightening iron is not cheap.

Which brings me to my next question: if I buy a voltage converter when I get home, can I use the European straightening iron in North America?

This might seem trivial to some, but the other women out there who regularly use straightening irons will understand :)

Especially when touring fashionable Italian cities! I also have some formal, work-related events to attend while in Europe where it's important to look pulled together.

Sharon,

A 220 Volt appliance should theoretically work fine on the power systems here, however if it contains any electronic components the difference in frequency might be an issue? However, a step up Voltage Converter would be required. There are devices available (even in my town at the local luggage store), but this would probably be a bit of an "awkward" solution as you'd need to tolerate a big "electrical device" sitting on your bathroom counter.

My suggestion would be to use the Hair Straightener that you just bought for future trips to Europe, and buy a 115V model when you return home.

Cheers!

Sharon: I'm not an electrician, but maybe it worked in Milan, but blew the fuse in Florence because the wiring in Florence was older or weaker or some such.

You won't ever be happy with it in the US. Just bite the bullet and buy a new one when you get home.

I will say that my cheap Conair Curling Iron which is dual voltage also does not have a "switch" I have used it several times in Europe, but if it 'blows' I am going to just buy one (We had to do that this year for my mother. Her's did "blow" same type, different "dimensions")

Serveral of my Girl Scout bought the Flat Iron things that were "suppose" to be dual voltage. By the end of the trip, they all had curly hair and expensive destroyed appliances. (I did warn them that I had heard NOTHING good about these appliaces in Europe, but they had to learn on thier own)